South America- the fourth largest continent on Earth. Its length from north to south is more than 7,000 km, from west to east - about 5,000, and the total area reaches 17.8 km². Most of the mainland is in the Southern Hemisphere. Total inhabitants - more than 385 million people: according to this indicator, South America ranks fourth among the continents. But if we discard the dry facts, one thing can be said: this is a whole world, unknown, bright, alluring and frightening at the same time. Each country of this continent deserves the closest study, the most curious tourists and the most enthusiastic reviews.

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How to get there

The cost of air travel to South American countries varies significantly on regular days and during sales periods. If a regular ticket can cost 1700-2000 USD on average, then sale and promotional tickets can be bought with a discount of up to 50%. The most profitable for Russians is to buy a ticket to Venezuela (the cheapest one can be bought for 500-810 USD on the days of maximum discounts). Or fly to the relatively massive countries of the Caribbean, such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic, from where domestic airlines move to the mainland.

If you have time and money, you can arrange an unforgettable ocean trip: a boat trip to Buenos Aires will cost 1500-2000 EUR. Such a voyage will take much more time than a flight, because most often it is not just sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, but a full-fledged cruise calling at the ports of Europe and Central America.

Transport in South America

Inside the continent, air travel is quite expensive, but cruise travel by sea is widespread (the cost depends on the class of the liner). Railways are used mainly for cargo transportation - very little passenger trains but very common bus service. Traveling by bus, of course, is less comfortable, but very economical (prices vary depending on the country and destinations - tourist or domestic). In addition, car rentals are very cheap here.

Weather

AT different parts South America has a different climate. In the north - the equatorial zone with the highest temperatures in January, in the south - the frosty polar zone. This is where you can meet New Year in bikini under scorching sun, and then go to a more familiar climate zone for ski resort in the Andean highlands. In the south of the mainland, plump king penguins roam with might and main - Antarctica is close!

Hotels

If you find yourself in South America for the first time and are accustomed to the international class of service, choose large hotel chains (preferably international ones). Rooms in them cost from 50-90 USD per day. Students and exotic lovers often settle in small hotels or private apartments - the cost can start from 15-20 USD per day. The appearance and amenities of housing will depend on the country, proximity to popular resorts and personal luck. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Iguazu Falls

South American countries

Venezuela- a state in the north of South America, washed by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is the city of Caracas. Here there are conditions for a beach holiday - the luxurious beaches of the Caribbean coast, a luxurious secluded vacation on Margarita Island, and for active: national park Avila near Caracas, Amazonian jungle, the highest waterfall on the planet - Angel, the longest in the world cable car 12.6 km long and the country's highest mountain peak - Pico Bolívar (4981 m).

Guyana- a state on the northeast coast of South America. The capital is Georgetown. Almost 90% of the country is occupied by wet jungles. It is precisely because of the unfavorable conditions for tourism in the traditional sense that Guyana is visited primarily by ecotourists. They have chosen the waterfalls of the Guiana Highlands, the Pacaraima mountains, National parks Kaieteur and Ivokrama, where visitors learn the wisdom of rafting, as well as hiking and horseback riding through the Rupununi savannas.

Guiana(or French Guiana) - the largest overseas region of France, located in the northeast of South America. A French visa is required to enter Guiana. The administrative center is the city of Cayenne. 96% of the country's territory is occupied by tropical forests - this region is one of the most forested and environmentally friendly in the world. Tourist centers and settlements local residents concentrated in the coastal strip, central regions practically deserted.

Colombia- a state in the north-west of South America, named after the great traveler. The capital is Bogotá. Russians are allowed visa-free entry to the territory of Colombia for up to 90 days. This country is famous for its historical heritage, many museums and an amazing fusion of European culture, brought by the Spanish conquistadors in the 15th century, and Indian culture, still carefully preserved in some parts of the country. Colombia has amazing nature: national parks, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the Amazon River basin, palm valleys and coffee plantations.

Paraguay called the heart of America, because this country has no access to the sea. Its population has retained its identity: the Indian dialect of Guarani is here state language on par with Spanish. The capital is Asuncion. "Guiana" is translated from Guaran as " great river”- refers to the Rio Paraguay (the third longest and deepest river of the continent), dividing the country into the arid Gran Chaco plain and the humid regions of the interfluve of the Rio Paraguay and Rio Alta Parana. The country was chosen by ecotourists and connoisseurs of superbly preserved architectural monuments period of the Jesuit state.

Peru- state on west coast South America. The capital is Lima. Fans of antiquities know Peru as the place of the Inca settlement - the Inca state of Tahuantinsuyu was the largest empire of pre-Columbian America and still remains a mystery to ethnographers and archaeologists. Here is the famous Machu Picchu, which has become one of the new wonders of the world, and landscapes with mysterious Nazca lines, the origin of which scientists still cannot explain. In total, there are more than 180 museums in Peru and many archaeological parks lost in the Andes valleys.

For Russian tourists visa-free entry to Peru for up to 90 days.

Suriname- a state in the northeast of South America. The capital is Paramaribo. People come here in search of ecotourism unusual places: Tropical forests, Atabru waterfalls, Cau, Wanotobo, Galibi reserve, Sipaliwini region, which occupies most of the territory, Trio, Acurio and Wayana Indian reservations.

Uruguay- a state in the southeast of South America. The capital is Montevideo. If you want to relax on the beach, come to Uruguay between January and April. Connoisseurs of colonial architecture will surely enjoy the sights of Cologna and Montevideo. Every year, a month and a half before Easter, two days before Lent, Catholics in Uruguay host a colorful carnival.

Visa-free entry to Uruguay is open for Russian tourists for up to 90 days.

Chile- a state in the southwest of South America, occupying a long strip from the coast Pacific Ocean to the Andean highlands. The capital is Santiago. In Chile, balneological tourism is widespread (33 sanatorium bases with water and mud treatment), beach holiday(regions of Arica, Iquique, Valparaiso), as well as trips to the national parks of La Campana, Torres del Paine, to Lake San Rafael, to the places of Altiplano and San Pedro and, of course, to the famous Easter Island. For lovers skiing- 15 resorts with slopes from the most extreme to the easiest.

Ecuador located in the northwest of the mainland and got its name from the Spanish "equator". The capital is Quito. special attention The Galapagos Islands, famous not only for their fauna, but also for their fantastic beaches, the Oriente National Park and a journey through the Amazon, the El Kayas region with 200 lakes and lagoons, a monument to the ancient culture of Ingapirca and museums of the colonial and pre-colonial eras in Quito deserve to be famous not only for their fauna, but also for their fantastic beaches.

For Russian tourists introduced visa-free regime visiting Ecuador for up to 90 days.

In addition, South America includes the disputed island territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, as well as the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands, which are still disputed by Great Britain and Argentina. Tourists arrive on the islands as part of cruise tours. The most common activities are mountain climbing, hiking and rafting in kayaks and kayaks. The Falkland (Malvinas) Islands are places almost forgotten by tourists. In terms of climate, their territory is close to Iceland: it is cold, strong winds, and not only seagulls, but also plump king penguins scurry along the coast.

Nature of South America

After the breakup of the Gondwana mainland at the end of the Cretaceous into Africa, Australia, Antarctica and South America, the latter remained a separate continent. Connecting the current North and South America, the Isthmus of Panama appeared about three million years ago, significantly affecting the flora and fauna of the continent.

The variety of landscapes and climatic zones strikes the tourist's imagination. Andes, the longest in the world mountain range, also called the "ridge" of South America, stretching almost along its entire length for 9 thousand km. Most high peaks- Aconcagua (6960 m) in Argentina and Ojos del Salado (6908 m) are covered with snow all year round. The movement of the earth's crust in this region, which continues to this day, causes earthquakes and eruptions of active volcanoes.

The famous Amazon flows here, the second largest river on the planet, always full-flowing thanks to its numerous tributaries. On its shores, the endless Amazonian jungle rises, so dense that some of their areas remain unexplored to this day.

The Amazonian jungle is called the "lungs of the planet."

In contrast to the Amazonian rainforests on the mainland is one of the driest places on the planet, the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. In Argentina and Uruguay, the pampas are hot and dusty.

There are vast lakes in South America, and high waterfalls, and rocky islands. From the north the mainland is washed warm waters caribbean, while its southernmost point - the island of Tierra del Fuego - is subject to frequent storms of the cold Atlantic Ocean.

If you do not take into account dependent regions and not fully recognized states, then Europe for 2017 covers 44 powers. Each of them has a capital in which not only its administration is located, but also the highest authority, that is, the government of the state.

In contact with

States of Europe

The territory of Europe stretches from east to west for more than 3 thousand kilometers, and from south to north (from the island of Crete to the island of Svalbard) for 5 thousand kilometers. The European powers are, for the most part, comparatively small. With such small sizes of territories and good transport accessibility, these states either closely border on each other or are separated by very small distances.

The European continent is divided territorially into parts:

• western;
• eastern;
• northern;
• southern.

All powers located on the European continent belong to one of these territories.

• There are 11 countries in the western region.
• In the east - 10 (including Russia).
• In the north - 8.
• In the south - 15.

Let's list all the countries of Europe and their capitals. We will divide the list of countries and capitals of Europe into four parts according to the territorial and geographical position of the powers on the world map.

Western

List of states belonging to Western Europe, with a list of main cities:

The states of Western Europe are washed mainly by the currents of the Atlantic Ocean and only in the north of the Scandinavian Peninsula border on the waters of the Arctic Ocean. In general, these are highly developed and prosperous powers. But they are distinguished by an unfavorable demographic situation. This is a low birth rate and a low level of natural growth of inhabitants. In Germany, there is even a decline in population. All this led to the fact that developed Western Europe began to play the role of a subregion in the global system of population migration, it turned into the main center of labor immigration.

Eastern

List of states located in the eastern zone of the European continent and their capitals:

The states of Eastern Europe have a lower level of economic development than western neighbors. However, they better preserved cultural and ethnic identity. Eastern Europe is more of a cultural and historical region than a geographical one. The Russian expanses can also be attributed to the eastern territory of Europe. And the geographical center of Eastern Europe is located approximately within Ukraine.

Northern

The list of states that make up northern Europe, including capitals, looks like this:

The territories of the states of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jutland, the Baltic States, the islands of Svalbard and Iceland are included in the northern part of Europe. The population of these regions is only 4% of the entire European composition. most big country the eight is Sweden, and the smallest is Iceland. The population density in these lands is less in Europe - 22 people / m 2, and in Iceland - only 3 people / m 2. This is due to harsh conditions. climate zone. But the economic indicators of development distinguish northern Europe as the leader of the entire world economy.

South

And finally, the most numerous list of territories located in the southern part, and the capitals of European states:

The Balkan and Iberian Peninsulas are occupied by these South European powers. Industry is developed here, especially ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. The countries are rich in mineral resources. In agriculture, the main efforts focused on the cultivation of food products, such as:

• grape;
• olives;
• Garnet;
• dates.

It is known that Spain is the world's leading country in the collection of olives. It is here that 45% of all olive oil in the world is produced. Spain is also famous for its famous artists - Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro.

European Union

The idea of ​​creating a single community of European powers appeared in the middle of the twentieth century, or rather after the Second World War. The official unification of the countries of the European Union (EU) took place only in 1992, when this union was sealed by the legal consent of the parties. Over time, the number of members of the European Union has expanded, and now it includes 28 allies. And states that want to join these prosperous countries will have to prove their compliance with the European foundations and principles of the EU, such as:

• protection of the rights of citizens;
• democracy;
• freedom of trade in a developed economy.

Members of the EU

The European Union for 2017 includes the following states:

There are now applicant countries to join this foreign community. These include:

1. Albania.
2. Serbia.
3. Macedonia.
4. Montenegro.
5. Turkey.

On the map of the European Union, you can clearly see its geography, the countries of Europe and their capitals.

Regulations and prerogatives of EU partners

The EU has a customs policy under which its members can trade with each other without duties and without restrictions. And in relation to other powers, the adopted customs tariff applies. Having general laws, the EU countries created a single market and introduced a single monetary currency- Euro. Many EU member states are part of the so-called Schengen zone, which allows their citizens to move freely through the territory of all allies.

The European Union has common governing bodies for member countries, which include:

• European Court.
• European Parliament.
• European Commission.
• The audit community that controls the EU budget.

Despite unity, European states Members of the community have full independence and state sovereignty. Each country has its own national language and has its own governing bodies. But for all participants there are certain criteria, and they must meet them. For example, coordination of all important political decisions with the European Parliament.

It should be noted that since its founding, only one power has left the European community. It was Danish autonomy - Greenland. In 1985, she was outraged by the low quotas introduced by the European Union for fishing. You can also recall the sensational events in 2016 referendum in the UK, when the population voted to leave the country from the European Union. This suggests that even in such an influential and seemingly stable community, serious problems are brewing.

Western countries are the most developed region of our planet. We associate this world with the rich and beautiful states, flourishing capitalism.

History of Western Europe

There are different opinions regarding the theory of the origin of European civilization. According to one theory, it was founded by the ancient Greeks. However, within the framework of another concept, its occurrence is attributed to the XV-XVI centuries, the times of the so-called "big geographical discoveries", the birth of capitalism and the reformation.

Western European civilization has gone through many stages of development, suffered a change in moral principles and aspirations. Today it is one of the most developed regions of our planet.

"Classics of the genre"

To the "classic" list Western countries There are 4 groups of states: large, medium, small and dwarf. Nearly 300 million people live in this area. 20 million of them are immigrants who came to work.

Most of these states are now part of the European Union. It ranks first in small-scale economic and industrial production. A high level of economic development makes Western countries financially secure.

In addition, Western Europe is famous for its rich culture. Many talented writers, artists and musicians, whose names are known throughout the world, were born here.

What distinguishes the Western countries of the world?

Western Europe is distinguished by the following factors:

1. Language. Almost all inhabitants of Western Europe use the Romance and Germanic language groups. The most common among them is English. It is native to 400 million people. At the same time, the group of non-Germanic languages ​​(Czech, Slovak, Hungarian) was once subjected to strong Germanization.

2. Latin alphabet. All the indigenous inhabitants of the Western countries of the world and their former colonies use the Latin alphabet, which arose in the 7th century BC. e.

3. The most common are Catholicism and Protestantism. A large percentage of atheists. Catholicism in the X century was finally formed as a separate branch of Orthodoxy. In the 16th century, when Catholics began to abuse their own religion, Protestantism was formed as a protest.

In the geographical concept, the countries of Western Europe include:

• France;
• Germany;
• Luxembourg;
• Great Britain;
• Belgium;
• Netherlands;
• Liechtenstein;
• Monaco;
• Ireland;
• Switzerland;
• Austria.

That is, the states located in Central and Northern Europe are also referred to as Western. This list can also include Norway, Denmark, Greece, Finland, Portugal, Iceland, Cyprus, Malta. These countries are part of the European Union.

In addition, the Western states are often called the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea and AUR, as mentioned above. Why is such an abundance of countries called Western Europe?

Western civilization is...

Western civilization is a combination of cultural, political and economic factors. It is characterized by constant development, the movement of a person forward. It is distinguished by democracy, market-oriented production, private property relations.

The West is characterized by prosperous states, rich culture, constantly developing infrastructure. Here they know firsthand what freedom, decent wages, and a high standard of living are.

Economy of leading Western countries

The most advanced civilization in the world in the field of economics. Western Europe, which includes 25 countries, occupies a special place in the world economy. It all started with the signing of the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community in 1957. This treaty marked an active economic development these countries.

All modern countries of Western Europe have the same type of economic system. Their total share in total GDP (this indicator indicates the average market value of the country's final goods and services) is 24%. And in the world population - 7%.

The main economic power falls on the share of four Western countries, a list of which we will consider below. They concentrate 70% of the gross product. These are large states in terms of area, with a large number of inhabitants.

Germany is the leader in the top four. The share of GDP per capita is $47,774. The German economy is the largest in Europe. It is the largest exporter of machinery, transport and household equipment, chemicals.

Great Britain is mainly engaged in the service sector (3/4 of the population) - banking and business services, insurance, etc. The share of industry is constantly decreasing. At the moment, it is represented by two industries - mining and manufacturing. Agriculture accounts for only 1% of GDP.

France (the name of the Western country means "land of the Franks") is next in the top four. The service sector, the oil and gas industry, and transport also dominate here.

Italy is also in the top four, but today the country is increasingly plunging into a crisis, and whether it will be able to maintain its position is unknown. Experts call it the weakest link in the Eurozone, due to its demographic and economic weight. If Italy defaults, it could bring down the entire global economic system.

Who else?

The rest of the countries belong to the group of small industrial ones. Their share of GDP is:

1. 20% - Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands.

2. 8% - Austria, Greece, Finland, Denmark, Norway.

3. 2% - Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Cyprus, Republic of Malta.

The economy of the Western states is developing unevenly, in leaps and bounds. Europe has experienced 3 crises. Today, the countries of Western Europe are characterized by a crisis of old industries - ferrous metallurgy, coal and textile industries.

There is a great scientific and technical potential. States invest huge amounts of money (up to 2% of GDP) in the development of science. Less than the US (about 16%), but more than Japan.

To date, Europe is leading in the construction of nuclear power plants, manufacturing medicines, in some types of mechanical engineering and communication technology.

The share of agriculture reaches 8%. At the same time, the number of people involved in it has sharply decreased in recent years, but the number of manufactured products has increased. Leading European countries agricultural producers are Germany, France and Great Britain.

The world's northernmost countries are not ice sheets stretching to the horizon. These are not deserted plains of snow on which polar bears frolic. They are just as beautiful as exotic countries south. They have their own beauty, sometimes harsh and cold, but just as attractive and colorful.

Nordic States of Europe

Northern Europe is the old Scandinavian mountains, these are coniferous forests, picturesquely stretched on the slopes of impregnable cliffs and fjords. It is a romantic nature with a harsh character, which has remained untouched by the invasion of human civilization.

Iceland is the most fantastic country on the globe with the most unique and amazing nature. Nowhere else in the world can you find such a cluster of geysers, volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, lava fields and cliffs. The volcanic plateau on which the territory of the country is located is “strewn” mountain peaks, the slopes of which abruptly break off the coast of the ocean.

Snow-white mists envelop Iceland in a veil, like the thinnest downy shawl. Northern lights paints the horizon with a riot of colors. Here is the largest geyser, which throws steam to a height of 60 meters every 10 minutes. And the waterfall of the Gods, located nearby, overthrows cascades of turquoise water.

Finland

Fairy tale land of the Snow Queen, Santa Claus, reindeer soaring into the sky on Christmas night. This is the world of white nights and amazing northern lights. This is blue Lakes with a mirror smooth surface and fast rivers carrying streams of water among intricately winding banks. Here, the forests are emerald green, and the air is clear and brilliant.

Finland is a country of 180 thousand lakes and forests covering 1/3 of the entire area.

Norway

Norway is the land of the midnight sun. A kingdom, a third of which is located beyond the Arctic Circle. From May to July, the sun shines in the sky, preventing the night twilight from taking over. This is a country of fairy tales and legends. Everything here is filled with magic. The huge Seine of the trolls, which are believed to live in these places, reaches a height of 850 meters, opening a stunning view from the top.

The territory of the country is a huge boulder of the Scandinavian Peninsula formed millions of years ago. She rises to Atlantic Ocean, reaching a height of 2452 meters.

This is one of the countries in the world in which women have the right to receive the priesthood. The country is governed by the prime minister, who makes all decisions only in accordance with the will of the king.

Northernmost country in the new world - Canada

The main asset of the country is the lakes, of which there are up to 4 million. They occupy 8% of the entire territory. The rocky mountains rise up to 3,000 meters, and the plains, like roads, pave the way to the tundra and the Arctic coast.

Canada is Niagara Falls which is beautiful in all seasons. It is exotic with adventures, fishing and hunting. These are wild flowers that "hurry" to show beauty in this harsh climate. It's the never-setting sun in summer and eternal ice breathing frosty freshness.

Here in summer it can be up to +40, and in winter it can be up to minus 60. Dwarf trees are “intertwined” with moss, lichen and wild flowers of amazing beauty. The symbol of Canada grows here - the sugar maple, the leaf of which adorns the flag of the country.

It was here that the canoe and kayak, matches, kerosene and lightning for clothes were born. Here you can admire the monument weighing 7 tons, which was installed to the ax. The people idolize beavers, which, along with the maple leaf, are a symbol of the country.

Group sex is officially allowed here, but it is forbidden to watch a striptease while drinking alcohol while watching. Drivers of transport do not give change for the fare. Therefore, it is better for economical passengers to stock up on a trifle in advance. Those who wish to write to Santa Claus should know his code - H0H 0H0.

But the championship, as always, belongs to Russia. For foreigners, it is associated with bears, a hat with earflaps and endless expanses of snow.

The northernmost state in the world - Russia

The north of Russia can be safely compared with a huge museum, which is spread over thousands of kilometers under open sky. Architecture and unique architectural monuments are surrounded by amazing nature. Silvery snow shimmers under the rays of the sun. The harsh nature gives in summer the delicate beauty of flowers and the riot of green plains. The Northern Lights, sparkling in the night sky, fascinates with its beauty. The North of Russia is a world of contrasts, a world of light and warmth, cold and peace.

Age-old taiga trees hide their secrets, protecting nature from human interference. For all the time of its existence, no one has managed to go through all its corners and paths. Only from a bird's eye view you can understand how huge and majestic it is.

The Mountain of the Dead in the northern Urals keeps the mysteries of horror that grips people who have fallen on its territory. Here people die for unknown reasons and planes crash while flying over its top. This is anomalous zone who is trying to protect something that a person should not know.

Molebsky triangle pulls like a magnet for tourists. Here you can see huge black figures appearing out of nowhere. Luminous balls and incomprehensible figures that demonstrate some unprecedented power to curious onlookers. Here is another world, another time that flows according to its own laws. You can come here and talk with yourself to understand your desires and cleanse your soul.

Rastess is a strange village where gold miners once lived. It has been empty for decades. Until now, it remains a mystery where all the people disappeared. Things remained intact, even bowls of food on the tables. It seems that a wave of time has carried home, taking the hard workers into a world where gold lies at the feet and does not have to be mined by the sweat of one's brow.

Russia is not a country of cold and polar bears. This is a huge mystery, the soul of which is trying to unravel not only the scientists of the world, but all of humanity. .
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